Means for raising fluids



July 18, 1950 M. F. M coMAs IIEANS FOR RAISING FLUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1946 v 0 0 9 3 G W Y J m wm a 2 w V a! mum w VV VW v W0 l um H I w m I g W I I z Patented July 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR RAISING FLUIDS Marion Francis McComas, Blackwell, Okla.

Application December 4, 1946, Serial No. 714,102

11 Claims. (Cl. 103--231) This invention is a novel method and means for raising oil or water through pipes extending from any depth below the earth's surface, from distressed oil wells, i. e., wells in which the gas pressure therein has decreased to such point that the fluid will no longer flow under influence of the wells own pressure; and the principal object of the invention is to provide a method and means operating on the jet principle, which can be economically operated, same embodying improvements and advantages hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a vertical section through the lower portion of my novel flow unit.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the central portion of said unit.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the upper portion of said unit.

As shown, the bore of the well is provided with a casing I which extends from a point adjacent the bottom of the bore to a point above the ground level G (Fig. 3), the casing being formed of sections of any suitable material joined together in a gas tight manner, the particular form of connection forming no 'part of my present invention.

Within well casing l is the tube 2 of my flow unit, said tube being of smaller diameter than casing I and extending from a point adjacent the bottom of the bore to a point above ground level G and above the upper end of casing I, tube 2 being preferably formed of sections joined together in a gas tight manner by any desirable type of connection.

At the lower end of tube 2 is a strainer section 3 which is provided with closely spaced perforations 3a which preferably slant upwardly and inwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to permit a uniform flow of the fluid into the bottom of tube 2. Immediately above strainer section 3 is an annular packing 4 of any desired type disposed between rings 2a--2b on tube 2 to maintain same positioned thereon, packin 4 filling the space between the exterior of tube 2 and the interior of well casing l, the packing 4 serving to utilize any gas pressure which may develop in the oil sand to assist in forcing the fluid up 2 the tube 2, also to protect the sand at the bottom of the well against downward pressure.

Within tube 2, above packing 4, is' a valve seat 5 having an opening 5a therein normally closed by a gravitationally operated flap 5b forming a check valve to prevent back pressure of air, fluid, or sediment entering the sand below the tube 2 which would cause sealing of the sand, particularly where asphalt, parafline and salt or similar substances are present in the oil or water.

Within tube 2, above the check valve 5-51) is a cross plate 6 secured therein in a gas tight manner, the portion of the tubing between the valve seat 5 and plate 6 formin a jet chamber A (Fig. 1). Adjacent the bottom of jet chamber A is an inverted funnel-shaped swedge I open at the top and bottom and having its smaller end disposed coaxially of tube 2 and uppermost, the bottom being secured in a gas tight manner to the walls of tube 2. Within the swedge l and extending below the lower end thereof is a jet tube 8 open at its top and bottom, the upper end thereof being secured to the upper smaller end of swedge 1. Within jet tube 8, disposed coaxially thereof is an air pipe 9 having an open jet at its upper end adjacent the upper end of the jet tube 8, said air pipe 9 having a branch 9a extending through jet tube 8 adjacent its lower end through a suitable stuffing box ill in the wall of tube 2, the pipe 9 continuing upwardly as at 9b between the casing and tube '2 to and beyond the upper end of the casing I, the same being connected to a source of air under pressure, hereinafter referred to.

Within jet chamber A above swedge l are a plurality of spaced inverted funnel-shaped swedges ll, two being shown in Fig. 1, but obviously a greater number may be provided, if desired. The swedges II are similar to the swedge l, the same having axially disposed openings I la in their smaller upper ends, and swedges l l serving as directional swedges to direct any fluid that swirls outwardly from the air stream of the jet of pipe 9 against the walls of tube 2 back into the line of jet flow, thereby increasing the efficiency and lessening the amount of air under pressure which must be used. Another purpose of swedges II is to provide a place in which loose sand or scale which becomes lodged under any of the relay tube valves I4 and I8, further up the tube, may be deposited against the sides of tube 2 above the inverted swedges ll, thus clearing the relay tube valves l4 and I8 of dust and sediment.

Above the upper swedge l I of chamber A is an through plate 6 in a gas tight manner and forming a relay tube discharging adjacent the top of the lower lift chamber B which is formed within tube 2 between the cross-plate 6 and a cross-plate 43 secured in a gas-tight manner within the tube at approximately a height of 10 feet above plate 6. As shown, the offset relay tube i2a extends to a point adjacent the plate I! and has it upper end beveled as at I21), and is provided with a.

gravitationally operated flap valve ll.

Above the chamber B are a series of similar lift chambers B extending to a point adjacent the upper end of tube 2, the chambers B being deflned by cross plates I! each disposed approximately 10 feet apart and secured in a gas-tight manner to the walls of tube 2. Extending through the cross plates are offset relay tubes l6, same having gas tight, connections with the plates it, as by means of stufling boxes ll (Fig. 2) or the like, said relay tubes is extending from points adjacent the lower ends of their related lift chamber B to points adjacent the upper ends of the next overlying chambers B, the upper ends of the relay tubes I being beveled as at lie and provided with gravitationally operated flap valves It.

At the upper end of the well casing i, above ground level G, is a head ii of any desired type through which tube 2 extends, packing of any desired type being provided in head is around tube 2 to prevent passage of air out of the space between the casing I and tube 2 below the head IS. The upper end of air pipe 9b passes laterally through a bore Isa in head is, a stufling box 2! being preferably provided to seal the passage of the air pipe 91) through the head, the air pipe it having a check valve 22 disposed therein and having a gate valve 23 therein outside the head IS, the pipe so being connected with a source s of air under pressure, whereby the amount of air passing through the jet pipe 8 in the jet chamber A maybe regulated.

At the upper end of tube 2, above ground level G, is a swedge nipple 24 secured by a collar 25 or the like thereto, said nipple contracting towards its upper end and having a gate valve 26 at its upper end, whereby air may be withdrawn from the upper or discharge chamber 0 of tube 2 above the upper cross plate I5. In the inside of the upper or discharge chamber 0 is a discharge pipe 21 at a point below the flap valve is of the upper relay tube It, said discharge pipe 21 being swedged or enlarged as at 21a to lessen friction of the oil or water flow, and the discharge pipe 21 being provided with a gate valve 28 for regulating the flow of oil or water from the well. Opposite the discharge pipe 21 is an auxiliary discharge pipe as having a gate valve 30 therein.

In operation Air under pressure is admitted through pipe 9b and discharged rupwardly through the jet tube 8 at the lower end of jet chamber A, the air being directed upwardly through the jet tube and through the swedges Ii, same holding the weight of the fluid in its upward movement, carrying the weight of the fluid against the sides of the tube 2 and inverted swedges 1 and I I, this in turn protecting the oil producing sand from any pressure from above. During this op- 4 oration, the flap valve 5b adjacent the bottom of tube 2 will prevent any pressure from passing downwardly to the oil producingsand below; and packing 4 prevents any air pressure from reaching the sand along the outside of tube 2, hence protecting the oil sand from pressure either within or without the tube 2, as a result of which the sand is protected against sealing due to asphalt, parafllne or other sediment in the oil orwater in the botinm of the bore.

The fluid enters the first lift chamber B through the relay tube and, as the fluid level builds up in said chamber, it rises above the lower end of the next succeeding relay tube It and is forced upwardly into the next succeeding lift chamber B, this action being repeated throughout the height of the tube 2 until the fluid reaches the discharge chamber C, the liquid having an unrestricted upward flow through the tubes Ii to and beyond the flap valves IS. The flap valves I4 and II at the top of each relay tube l2a, and 18 which open in the direction of the upward flow of oil or water prevent the return of the fluid into a lower lift chamber B upon shutting off of air and gas pressure.

By carrying the weight of gravity, utilizing relay tubes He and I. of approximately 10 feet in height. the structure enables the water or oil to be forced up the tube 2 by the use of a small amount of air or gas pressure, and permits the use of a very small air pipe 9 from the ground surface to convey air and gas down to and up through the jet chamber A.

The small air or gas line a which provides air pressure from the top of the bore is of size comparable to the size of the tube 2 of the well casing, and thus permits the cost of providing air pressure to remain low and economical, and revents the necessity of the air or gas pressure circulating around the tube 2 between the tube and the casing I, and confines the pressure to the small line to the interior of tube 2. By providing lift chambers B limited to about 10 feet in height the power necessary to produce the flow in the well is very much reduced, and permits the valves l4 and I! to be operated economically; also reduces the weight of the fluid being carried by the inverted swedges 1 and II and the plates 6 and II and i4 dividing each said lift chamber B.

The provision of the packing gland or stufllng box 2| around the air pipe 9b entering the head is makes it possible to dismantle the assembly at small cost. Since the outlets for the discharge tubes 21 and 29 are below the level of the top of the last relay tube valve It, the fluid or water may gravitate away from the top of the upper valve It. The valve 26 at the upper end of the discharge chamber C may be utilized to release any pressure of gas at the top of the discharge chamber. The valve 26 at the upper end of the discharge chamber C also serves as a means for releasing or bleeding the air or gas that might rise through the tube 2 before the fluid starts to flow. After flowing starts, the gate valve 2 may be closed. The swedging of the discharge line 21 to the storage point permits the siphoning of fluid to such point. The discharge line 21 is swedged by increase in size to lessen the friction on the fluid as it passes from the discharge chamber 0.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

Iclaim: 1. Means for raising oil or water from distressed oil wells or the like, comprising a substantially impervious casing contacting the walls vious strainer section at the lower end of the tube; a normally closed upwardly opening check valve within the tube adjacent the upper end of the strainer section; an annular packing sealing the space between the tube and easing opposite the upper end of the strainer section; a cross plate closing the tube above the valve and forming therewith a jet chamber; a series of inverted funnel-shaped swedges open at their smaller upper ends within the jet chamber; an upwardly directed air jet pipe coaxially disposed within the upper end of the lowermost swedge; means for supplying air under pressure to said jet; a series of lift chambers within the tube above the jet chamber; a head around the tube and sealing the upper end of the casing above the ground level; a discharge chamber at the upper end of the tube into which the upper lift chamber discharges; and outlet pipes extending from the discharge chamber.

2. In means as set forth in claim 1, a jet tube around the air jet pipe extending below the lower end of said lower swedge said air jet pipe extending laterally through the jet tube and impervious tube and passing upwardly between the impervious tube and casing and passing laterally through said head; said pipe being connected to said means for supplying air under pressure; and a check valve and regulating valve disposed therein exteriorly of the head.

3. In means as set forth in claim 1, one outlet pipe being enlarged to reduce friction of the oil or water withdrawn therethrough; and a valve in the enlarged portion; the other outlet pipe having a valve.

4. Means for raising oil or Water from distressed oil wells or the like, comprising a substantially impervious casing contacting the walls of the well bore and extending from the oil bearing stratum to a point above the ground level; an impervious tube within the casing spaced from the walls thereof and extending from the oil bearing stratum to a point above'the casing; a pervious strainer section at the lower end of the tube; a normally closed upwardly opening check valve within the tube adjacent the upper end of the strainer section; an annular packing sealing the space between the tube and casing opposite the upper end of the strainer section; a jet chamber in the tube above the valve; an air jet in said chamber; means for supplying air under pressure thereto; a series of lift chambers within the tube above the jet chamber defined'by a series of cross plates closing the tube, the lower lift chamber receiving the oil and water from the jet chamber; a series of relay tubes mounted in the series of cross plates having their open lower ends terminating adjacent the bottoms of their underlying lift chambers and their upper ends terminating adjacent the upper ends of their related lift chambers; a series of gravitationally operated valves closing the upper ends of the respective series of relay tubes; a head around the tube and sealing the upper end of the casing above the ground level; a discharge chamber at the upper end of the tube into which the upper relay tube discharges; and outlet pipes extending from thedischarge chamber below the upper end of the upper relay tube.

5. In means as set forth in claim 4, said series 5 of cross plates being disposed substantially ten feet apart; and said connections between the cross plates, first tube, and relay tubes being gas-tight.

6. In means as set forth in claim 4, one outlet pipe being enlarged to reduce friction of the oil or water withdrawn therethrough; and a valve in the enlarged portion; the other outlet pipe having a valve.

7.- Means for raising oil or water from distressed oil wells o the like, comprising a substantially impervious casing contacting the walls of the well bore and extending from the oil bearing stratum to a point above the ground level; an impervious tube within the casing spaced from the walls thereof and extending from the oil bearing stratum to a point above the casing; a pervious strainer section at the lower end of the tube; a normally closed upwardly opening valve within the tube above the strainer section; an annular packing between the tube and casing above the strainer section; a cross plate closing the tube above the valve and forming therewith a jet chamber; a series of inverted funnel-shaped swedges open at their smaller upper ends within the jet chamber; an upwardly directed air jet pipe coaxially disposed within the upper end of the lowermost swedge; means for supplying air under pressure to said jet; a series of lift chambers within the tube above the jet chamber defined by a series of other cross plates closing the tube; an offset relay tube connecting the upper end of the upper swedge and discharging adjacent the upper end of the lowermost lift chamber; a series of other relay tubes mounted in the series of cross plates having their open lower ends terminating adjacent the bottoms of their underlying lift chambers and their upper ends terminating adjacent the upper ends of their related lift chambers; gravitationally operated valves closing the upper ends ,of the respective relay tubes; a head around the tube and sealing the upper end of the casing above the ground level; a closed discharge chamber at the upper end of the tube into which the upper relay tube discharges; a 50 relief valve at the upper end of the discharge chamber; and outlet pipes extending from the discharge chamber below the upper end of the upper relay tube.

8. In means as set forth in claim 7, a jet tube around the air jet pipe extending below the lower end of said lower swedge; said air jet pipe extending laterally through the jet tube and impervious tube and passing upwardly between the impervious tube and casing and passing laterally through the head; said pipe being connected to said means for supplying air under pressure; and a check valve and regu ating valve disposed therein exteriorly of the head, said pipe passing through a stufiing box in said head.

9. In means as set forth in claim 7, said series of cross plates for the series of lift chambers being disposed substantially ten feet apart; and said connections between the cross plates, first tube, and relay tubes being gas-tight.

70 10. In means as set forth in claim 7, the upper end of the discharge chamber being swedged below the relief valve.

11. In means as set forth in claim 7, one outlet pipe being enlarged to reduce friction of the 7 oil or water withdrawn therethrough; and a valve 7 in the enlarged portion; the other. outlet pipe 8 11mm) sums m'rmu's Name Date Vauduzen Oct. 10, 1882 Miles Aug. 28, 1930 Woqds Oct. 13, 1936 Smyser Mar. 21, 1944 Taylor et a1. June 12, 1945 

